Confused about Vanity

[Wynona]

When I think of the word vanity, I picture someone obsessing over their appearance in a mirror. I always figured that was a sin of some sort.

But when the Bible speaks of vanity, it usually means pointlessness like in Ecclesiastes. The way Scripture uses it, has nothing to do with personal appearance in that context.

Is the modern way we think of vanity different than the Bible's? I think in Proverbs 31 it says beauty is vain.

 

[marks]

When I think of the word vanity, I picture someone obsessing over their appearance in a mirror. I always figured that was a sin of some sort.

But when the Bible speaks of vanity, it usually means pointlessness like in Ecclesiastes. The way Scripture uses it, has nothing to do with personal appearance in that context.

Is the modern way we think of vanity different than the Bible's? I think in Proverbs 31 it says beauty is vain.

Yes, Biblical "vanity" is emptiness, meaningless, futility.

Much love!

 

[Randy Kluth]

When I think of the word vanity, I picture someone obsessing over their appearance in a mirror. I always figured that was a sin of some sort.

But when the Bible speaks of vanity, it usually means pointlessness like in Ecclesiastes. The way Scripture uses it, has nothing to do with personal appearance in that context.

Is the modern way we think of vanity different than the Bible's? I think in Proverbs 31 it says beauty is vain.

There are many forms of vanity, some sinful and some not. The typical form is "looking in a mirror, admiring yourself," or "conceiving of yourself as a bigshot." ;) Some of this is just human, and doesn't mean much--more or less, a waste of time, or at best, a way of coping with our inadequacies.

The worst form of vanity is, as you say, indulging in a life that wastes a life that could be living in service to God. Solomon was probably hinting at that, but was basically trying to produce a sense of prioritization of things.

He wasn't necessarily sinning in indulging his creativity in building elaborate gardens, for example. At some point, however, over-indulgence of anything leads to excess as the expense of a life that could be producing better for God.

 

[Lambano]

Yes, Biblical "vanity" is emptiness, meaningless, futility.

Much love!

How about "insubstantial"?

The Hebrew word הֲבֵל ("hebel") used in the well-known Ecclesiastes 1:2 ("Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity") means "vapor".

"Insubstantial" works for both life and people.

 

[Philologos]

When I think of the word vanity, I picture someone obsessing over their appearance in a mirror. I always figured that was a sin of some sort.

But when the Bible speaks of vanity, it usually means pointlessness like in Ecclesiastes. The way Scripture uses it, has nothing to do with personal appearance in that context.

Is the modern way we think of vanity different than the Bible's? I think in Proverbs 31 it says beauty is vain.

Hi, I hope you don’t mind the intrusion. The word “vanity” in Ecclesiastes is mistranslated. The word should be “emptiness” or near that. When I translate, I try to make myself aware of “semantic drift,” which is the gradual change of the meaning of a word by a particular culture(s) over a long period of time. I haven’t traced that particular word, but it’s possible that the original meaning of vanity may have been empty or useless. Think about the emptiness of modern day vanity.

 

[Enoch111]

Is the modern way we think of vanity different than the Bible's?

Both applications would be correct. As you pointed out beauty is vain and vanity means pointlessness. As long as Christians understand that the pointlessness is only for those outside of Christ. For the natural man.

 

[Randy Kluth]

Both applications would be correct. As you pointed out beauty is vain and vanity means pointlessness. As long as Christians understand that the pointlessness is only for those outside of Christ. For the natural man.

I partly agree and partly disagree. I think this is also for those in Christ. Solomon is like the Christian who indulges in all kinds of activities not always sinful, and yet excessive. He finds himself wanting fulfillment in things that will not fill that need.

But in reality, it is not all bad. We do all kinds of things, like landscape our properties, that in the long run will mean nothing. We can't take anything with us when we get to heaven, materially speaking. We can only take the things that pleased the Lord.

Now if it pleased the Lord for us to indulge ourselves in things that pleased us, even though we can't take these things with us, fine. God may be happy just to make us happy for awhile? Or perhaps in making ourselves happy we make our friends and family happy, as well?

The lesson is, I think, to keep things in perspective. How much will our self-indulgences really serve others? And what is the proportion of activities that should reflect rest and recreation, and how much should be all about work and production? There can be "vanity" either way. God doesn't really need our help with anything! ;)

 

[stunnedbygrace]

When I think of the word vanity, I picture someone obsessing over their appearance in a mirror. I always figured that was a sin of some sort.

But when the Bible speaks of vanity, it usually means pointlessness like in Ecclesiastes. The way Scripture uses it, has nothing to do with personal appearance in that context.

Is the modern way we think of vanity different than the Bible's? I think in Proverbs 31 it says beauty is vain.

I think depending on the context it can mean pride of beauty/life/youth or pointlessness.

 

[marks]

How about "insubstantial"?

The Hebrew word הֲבֵל ("hebel") used in the well-known Ecclesiastes 1:2 ("Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity") means "vapor".

"Insubstantial" works for both life and people.

That sounds right.

Chasing after handfuls of nothingness!

Much love!

 

[Taken]

When I think of the word vanity, I picture someone obsessing over their appearance in a mirror. I always figured that was a sin of some sort.

But when the Bible speaks of vanity, it usually means pointlessness like in Ecclesiastes. The way Scripture uses it, has nothing to do with personal appearance in that context.

Is the modern way we think of vanity different than the Bible's? I think in Proverbs 31 it says beauty is vain.

Anything that a person believes or does and esteems of greater value Above God is vain, vanity.

Examples; People will think, plan, obsess, be consumed in thoughts all day long about; their looks, their money, their brilliance, their cleverness, their talents, their possessions....accrediting Themselves...
and NEVER squeeze in a thought about the Lord God, a thought of credit or thankfulness unto Him.

Glory to God,
Taken

 

[Wrangler]

When I think of the word vanity, I picture someone obsessing over their appearance in a mirror.

One of the most common mistakes people make is to equate beauty with goodness.

A very evil person can be beautiful. Lucifer is said to be very beautiful. It is vanity to think beauty is morally good.

 

[Bob Estey]

When I think of the word vanity, I picture someone obsessing over their appearance in a mirror. I always figured that was a sin of some sort.

But when the Bible speaks of vanity, it usually means pointlessness like in Ecclesiastes. The way Scripture uses it, has nothing to do with personal appearance in that context.

Is the modern way we think of vanity different than the Bible's? I think in Proverbs 31 it says beauty is vain.

I think it goes much deeper than that. To me vanity means people trying grab hold of power so they can rule over the rest of us. You see it in churches. You see it in government. It is a very evil thing.

 

[quietthinker]

When I think of the word vanity, I picture someone obsessing over their appearance in a mirror. I always figured that was a sin of some sort.

But when the Bible speaks of vanity, it usually means pointlessness like in Ecclesiastes. The way Scripture uses it, has nothing to do with personal appearance in that context.

Is the modern way we think of vanity different than the Bible's? I think in Proverbs 31 it says beauty is vain.

:)....Oi Wynona, yesterday my skin was silky, today it aint looking' that way, tomorrow it could be mirroring a well rutted drought. Maybe oils aint oils and I got sucked in again :)
When the news broadcasts the death by old age of someone famous I check it out so I can see the pics....you know, before and after. It's all the same story. Here they are in younger years looking all spit and slick then just a few rotations of the earth around the sun and they're shrivelled like prunes......yup, oils aint oils and vanity locks onto futility.

 

[Wynona]

:)....Oi Wynona, yesterday my skin was silky, today it aint looking' that way, tomorrow it could be mirroring a well rutted drought. Maybe oils aint oils and I got sucked in again :)
When the news broadcasts the death by old age of someone famous I check it out so I can see the pics....you know, before and after. It's all the same story. Here they are in younger years looking all spit and slick then just a few rotations of the earth around the sun and they're shrivelled like prunes......yup, oils aint oils and vanity locks onto futility.

Lol. I tell myself often, enjoy your youth now, cause it's all going to be hideous and wrinkled one day.

 

[farouk]

Lol. I tell myself often, enjoy your youth now, cause it's all going to be hideous and wrinkled one day.

@Wynona Put it this way also: my dear wife does not feel properly dressed if she goes out without 'putting on her face'.

However, she is truly a Godly woman with serious, spiritual priorities.

 

[quietthinker]

@Wynona Put it this way also: my dear wife does not feel properly dressed if she goes out without 'putting on her face'.

However, she is truly a Godly woman with serious, spiritual priorities.

with great concern for image? :)

 

[Reggie Belafonte]

with great concern for image? :)

Yes it's an image that is a Sin to God.
Like the MSM they portray an image of themselves as above the Law and all, not to mention over everyone by far ! When in fact they are a outright Whore in fact. Not to mention totally Idolised by the public in fact !

This Whore is all dressed up for the Game but it works to undermine all it comes across and makes total fools of them all.

Same is the person who is not worthy of Christ Jesus in fact, for they do not hold him up for all to see that he is their Lord and Saviour.

People who put on a face ? do so out of a fear ? a inferiority complex ? or deception ! because they are not Saved ! so such leads to many problems because one is not ones self ! but is of this world ? and not of the Kingdom of God ! because such are not Saved !
That's what the Face is about, who are you ? Of Christ or this world ?

One in Christ Jesus does not care what one thinks, as one only regards what they know ? what one may think does not cut the mustard, because such is not solid in regards to their convictions.

 

[farouk]

Yes it's an image that is a Sin to God.
Like the MSM they portray an image of themselves as above the Law and all, not to mention over everyone by far ! When in fact they are a outright Whore in fact. Not to mention totally Idolised by the public in fact !

This Whore is all dressed up for the Game but it works to undermine all it comes across and makes total fools of them all.

Same is the person who is not worthy of Christ Jesus in fact, for they do not hold him up for all to see that he is their Lord and Saviour.

People who put on a face ? do so out of a fear ? a inferiority complex ? or deception ! because they are not Saved ! so such leads to many problems because one is not ones self ! but is of this world ? and not of the Kingdom of God ! because such are not Saved !
That's what the Face is about, who are you ? Of Christ or this world ?

One in Christ Jesus does not care what one thinks, as one only regards what they know ? what one may think does not cut the mustard, because such is not solid in regards to their convictions.

Who are you referring to?

 

[Reggie Belafonte]

Who are you referring to?

The Non saved ? the carnal man. They who are of this world !

Jesus said that he was not of this world, do you understand what he is talking about in this ?

Now the point is that this world is full of delusions and deceptions, understand that.

People are being duped by the powers that be ? remember who killed Jesus and how they so cunningly worked to destroy him so as to dupe the people. That's who. Such people put on a face ? because they do not have life within from above in Christ Jesus, so they are characters a vice under the power clearly under Sin. a blight ! under a curse.